18-03-2024, 09:42 AM
A book on the history of Wolseley cars by St John Nixon details the early design work on cars by Herbert Austin - for example, the building of his first car in 1895, and what influenced the design. He was aware that its design infringed certain patents, and therefore the whole exercise was kept very quiet at the time.
Later, when the second experimental Wolseley car was built, it was of a very different design. Many of the changes were aimed at getting around patent infringements so that the design might be taken forward commercially. This shows that patents were important in the car industry as early as the 1890s, and that Herbert Austin needed to have them at the forefront of his mind when designing.
Therefore, when it came to the design of the Seven - with its many new features - it makes sense that Herbert Austin was thorough in using patents to protect his design?
I have not looked in detail at the wording of the patents themselves, but anyone in the 1920s wishing to ‘copy’ a Seven would have had to take them into account - and areas listed include frame, suspension, engine lubrication, steering gear, front axle and brakes, torque tube, gear box, radiator and body - so most of the major components.
Perhaps this helps explain why we have that long list of patents on the dashboard of our Sevens?
patent plate.jpg (Size: 97.28 KB / Downloads: 164)
Later, when the second experimental Wolseley car was built, it was of a very different design. Many of the changes were aimed at getting around patent infringements so that the design might be taken forward commercially. This shows that patents were important in the car industry as early as the 1890s, and that Herbert Austin needed to have them at the forefront of his mind when designing.
Therefore, when it came to the design of the Seven - with its many new features - it makes sense that Herbert Austin was thorough in using patents to protect his design?
I have not looked in detail at the wording of the patents themselves, but anyone in the 1920s wishing to ‘copy’ a Seven would have had to take them into account - and areas listed include frame, suspension, engine lubrication, steering gear, front axle and brakes, torque tube, gear box, radiator and body - so most of the major components.
Perhaps this helps explain why we have that long list of patents on the dashboard of our Sevens?
patent plate.jpg (Size: 97.28 KB / Downloads: 164)